HMH Get in the Zone: The Psychology of Video-Games

1. The author most likely wrote this selection...

• to persuade readers to devote time to playing video games

• to inform readers about the process of video game development

• to describe challenges people face when playing video games

• to explain why video games are so popular

Read the dictionary entry below for the word design.

Design v. 1. To conceive in the mind; to invent  2. To formulate a plan for  3. To make a graphic representation of (something) 4. To create for a particular purpose or effect

Which definition most closely matches the way the word designed in used in paragraph 4?

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• Definition 4

The author included the section subheading "Challenge" to show...

• Why video games require skill in order to be finished

• Why people try to complete tasks in a video game as quickly as possible

• Why people purchase so many different types of video games

• Why video games increase in difficulty as players become more skilled

What tone does the author creaate by comparing our brains to backpacks in paragraph 6?

• Conversational

  (he's just talking to the reader)

• Humorous

  (it's funny)

• Encouraging

  (he wants the reader to do well)

• Curious

  (he has questions)

Read the dictionary entry below for the word focus.

focus n. 1. A center of activity  2. Directed attention 

3. S state or condition permitting clear understanding 4. A point at which rays converge

      

  Which definition most closely matches the way the word focused  is used in paragraph 8?

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• Definition 4

6. Read this excerpt from paragraph 9.

7. That’s because focus, our ability to pay attention, is like a flashlight beam–

8. it can only shine on one or two things at a time.

       Based on the cause and effect structure used by the author, what can the reader predict will be discussed in this 

       next paragraph?

   
   

• What happens when we try focusing on several things at once

• Why there are no effective ways to focus on things

• The reasons people have difficulty maintaining focus

• How focus can be maintained even when doing many things at a time

7. Which two things help the reader predict what the section "Reward" will be about?

• The reference to being lost in a game dungeon

• The description of the similarities between games and real life

• The discussion of brain activity in the previous section

• The heading the section

The author includes the detail about micro-rewards in paragraph 13 to explain--

• How game designers players for reaching the ultimate goal

• How focus helps to create flow for gamers

• How rewards for small tasks lead to accomplishing big goals

• How the brain produces the chemical dopamine

Mark the box that indicates whether the sentence from the text states the author’s perspective or provides factual information.

It's completely unfair. (paragraph 1)

• author’s perspective

• factual information

Mark the box that indicates whether the sentence from the text states the author’s perspective or provides factual information.

But some games are better than others. (paragraph 4)

• Author's perspective

• Factual information